Vancouver Is Awesome, and we are dedicated to everything that makes it that way.

If you want to read ugly, bad news about this beautiful city of ours, you’re going to have to look to traditional media and other blogs; V.I.A. promotes everything that makes our city awesome, from old to new and everything inbetween. We’re like the human interest piece on the news… only different.

Year after year we have been voted Vancouver's "Best Local Blog" by readers of the Georgia Straight.

One of the least-hyped populated islands in British Columbia, Lasqueti, about 50 miles northwest of Vancouver, is a bit of an anomaly. While residents have most of the services we’ve come to expect on the other Gulf Islands – pub, coffee shop, some basic roads, a volunteer fire department, an elementary school – BC Ferries doesn’t service it and it’s mostly a secret to travellers. There’s no electricity and most of the people there live a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Global’s 16×9 visited the place and produced this excellent documentary piece below. In it they follow around a few of the locals, exposing what it’s like to live off the grid. Apparently only 40% of the people who move over there end up being able to hack it.

Postmark just released another playlist, this one built especially for your weekend. “Top of the World” is a mellow electronic indie remix set built for cruising the seawall or hitting your favourite trail. Get out there and bring this with you!

Every day we publish a Vancouver photo from the Instagram hashtag #vancouverisawesome shot by you and your friends in this great city of ours. If you’d like to have the chance to have your photos featured simply tag your pics. And don’t forget to follow the @viawesome Instagram account!

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Map 146 Historical Atlas of Vancouver. Derek Hayes 2005 p.81

If you’ve never wandered the quiet and expansive streets of Shaughnessy (or gotten lost in its roundabout roads), you may wonder why “First Shaughnessy” is named specifically in the City of Vancouver’s Heritage Action Plan. Judging by three sold out VHF walking tours on the topic, “Shaughnessy Heights: the Swellest and Most Beautiful Neighbourhood”, with a waitlist for a potential fourth, there is definitely interest and curiosity in the future of this historic neighbourhood.

“First Shaughnessy, the grandest subdivision in the city, is known for its ‘estate-like quality’ and its leafy ambience. The original building envelopes generally had a smaller footprint, usually about 2,000 square feet per floor, and a taller height – averaging about 42 feet. This allowed more site area for landscaping to frame the heritage ‘English Picturesque Aesthetic,’ the estate-like quality that Vancouver residents treasure.”

Shaughnessy consists of three subdivisions – First, Second and Third Shaughnessy. First Shaughnessy was developed in 1907 by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company to entice the city’s elite to move from the West End to the newly-cleared area on the hill above 16th Avenue up to King Edward Avenue, with lots a minimum of 10,000 square feet. Curving streets were laid out on topographical lines, rather than the grid system common in most of Vancouver. Second Shaughnessy was created with smaller lots between King Edward and 37th Avenues. Third Shaughnessy followed in the late 1920s.”

There’s plenty of opportunity to join Heritage Action Plan (HAP) discussions and we encourage you to do so. Public consultation is a hugely beneficial part of the process and a great time to share your opinions and thoughts about the future of Vancouver’s heritage. VHF has created a page to help you understand the HAP as it progresses, as well as list relevant events. Check it out here.

A new kitty once a week Click here to find out how your cat can appear on Van City Kitty. Every month we feature a kitty or two who are looking for their forever home. It’s the end of February, and I’m thinking there may be some more homes in need of some cat-warmth, so here’s another kitty who is in need of a companion! This quiet little guy is from Katie’s Place!

Katie’s Place is a volunteer-run no-kill animal shelter in Maple Ridge.

Two principals guide them: all life is valuable, and we are responsible for improving the quality of life for all those in our care.

They make no judgment on whose life is worth rescuing; the sick, elderly and the injured are as precious as the healthy, young and attractive.

Donny

Donny spent a long time living outside with his sister Marie, both who were surviving on kibble from a kind person in the neighbourhood. When the weather got really cold (and I don’t mean this crazy mild year – he’s been at the shelter for a while now) he was brought to Katie’s place. Donny’s a shy, quiet guy who would do best as the companion of shy, quiet people, who may even have another shy, quiet kitty for him to hang out with. He’s like the kitty icing on a big introvert household cake.

It’s a new dog once a week! Click here to find out how to get your dog posted if you haven’t sent in your photos yet!

Today’s dog featured in Dogtown Vancouver is Weezy, Jarrod’s pup. Here’s what he had to say about him…

NAME: Weezy F. Baby aka Weezleton F. Berryjuice.BREED: 1/4 Timber wolf 1/4 arctic wolf 1/2 Siberian Samoyed.HOOD: From Whistler but now Mount PleasantFAVOURITE SNACK: Buffalo femur bones from Red Dog Deli.OTHER INFO: He’s the smartest most amazing dog ever because of his wolf side he thinks a bit different and looks at you a bit different.

I’m also a dog walker for Sweet Pea and Me Dog Adventures and Care so he gets out with packs in the North Shore a few times per week where he is the leader of the pack. He also was raised playing with his mom, uncles, brothers and sisters so he’s very loving and playful! The best!!!